Question for many answers

[nicetires]

I am an American college student trying to get into a respectable film school. The only problem is I have a GPA cumm. that is less than average. Do I really need a film school to teach me what I need to know or are there other ways and other people to teach me. I have little to no knowledge in the film making world, but I want to learn the proper procedure to become successful. Any answer is helpful.

[Littlerich]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, helvetica, sans serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by nicetires:
I have little to no knowledge in the film making world, but I want to learn the proper procedure to become successful. Any answer is helpful.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Well, first of all, (I'm sure loads of people will agree), is that there is no proper procedure to becoming sucessful...

If I were to choose, I wouldn't take the "theory" way into the business, but volunteer to become a runner.
If there is a local TV station, go there, be a pain, offer to do anything you can and they will probably take advantage of that.

Than't how I did it. Now, I have contacts that I can get equipment from, studio facilities, my friend is a lighting / sound engineer who is interested in TV/Film (technical side), I have firends who like Acting, etc...

Going through Film school may help you learn about film, but it won't teach you how to re-wire a TV station about 5 minutes before there is a Live TV show about to go out.
So, grab whatever books you wish, whoever you can find, whatever equipment you can get a hold of (camcorder, etc...) and go and make a film!

That's the sort of attitude that got me in the TV station in the first place!

Good luck!

------------------
KEEP FOCUSED!
Little Rich.
http://go.to/littlerich
www.rmsgraffix.freeserve.co.uk
[email protected]

[darthshawn]

the best advice I ever heard was:

don't try to do everything, delgate authority. No matter how much you want to wear all the hats, remember that you only have one head.

[ThomasB]

Here's how I will start.

I'm gonna shoot my first movie at the end of november. I asked a couple of friends to help me out on technics and acting. We're about 12 people involved in this project and I'm really looking forward to get started. This is our first project and we don't have any experience in doing something like that, but I think we're well prepared.

I wouldn't want to learn the 'proper procedure' because I think that you'll be limited to what you've been teached and this could cut down on your own 'style' of doing it.

I hope you understood what I wanted to say.

Greetings,
ThomasB

[soulfilms]

my advice is to just go out and shoot everything...shoot a script somebody's somebody has burried under the ground from sheer embarrassment and then, if you want/think you need some more skill, go to film school because that way, you aren't an infant wallowing in your teachers' words but a somewhat experienced person with a bit of built up knowledge. better yet, try and get a spot in a film to get some invaluable experience 'on site'. cheers

[EraserSport2000]

Hi,

No, you don't need film school. I am 17 and I have already worked for different film production companies, edited commercials for Nathan's Hot dogs and Quaker Oats. I have also worked with SNL (Saturday Night Live) and have worked with many different talent.

I claim my success to trying hard. I wanted to prove to the world that you don't have to be such and such an age to be good and professional and I have also started my own DV production company here in New York City.

I have gotten lots of grants for different projects (but all you need to get started is the cost of tape) Its just I use all kinds of lighting, Processing, Editing Suites, Camera Cranes, and Glidecam crapola.

But it doesn't matter what you shoot your first film on but just that it has a good story, that's the most important.

I am glad you got your friends involved.

In answer to your question of do you need to go to film school, I just have to say this:

"Do you need to go to 5 years of school to learn how to draw a circle?"

Film School does teach you a lot but the best way you can learn is to go out there and practices, even if your shooting nothing.

Also look at a lot of photographs and photo books because that will help train your eye to see things in a very visual way. I have always been into photography and I believe that it has helped me develop a great eye.

The breakdown goes like so (usually)

Script/Planning: 60% of your time

Production (shooting): 25% of your time

Post-Production: 15% of your time

In my mind this is the most important because you can take something that really sucks and put together correctly, with a few pieces of added information can give really great results.

Good Luck and enjoy the whole process.

Thanks,
Sean Micha Siegel

[This message has been edited by EraserSport2000 (edited November 02, 2000).]

[Chance1234]

heres all my adivce
www.lookingglass.atfreeweb.com/desktop/deadlights/index.htm